Needle disposal system comprised of blood collection holder and companion biohazard receptacle

Abstract

A needle disposal system has a blood collection holder with an engaged blood collection needle and a companion biohazard receptacle for disposal of the needle after use. First, the blood collection needle engaged to the holder is irreversibly positively locked upon insertion into respective needle removal device of the biohazard receptacle, thereby preventing withdrawal of the needle from the biohazard receptacle. The needle is then unthreaded from the holder and disposed of inside the biohazard receptacle.

I claim: 
     
       1. A system for disposing of a double ended needle having an anterior end, a posterior end, and hub therebetween with a threaded engaged segment and a ribbed segment, said system comprising: a blood collection holder having a boss for engaging said threaded engaging segment of said needle hub; and   a biohazard receptacle having: a) an aperture for receiving the anterior end of said needle when engaged by said holder boss into the interior of said biohazard receptacle;   b) means disposed in said aperture for engaging said needle hub in said aperture for preventing rotation of said needle as said holder is unthreaded from said needle; and   c) locking means for preventing withdrawal of said needle from said biohazard receptacle after said needle has been inserted into said aperture and for urging the needle into the interior of said biohazard receptacle following disengagement from said holder, said locking means comprising a leaf spring.     
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for preventing rotation of said needle further comprises a post disposed within said aperture for engaging a portion of said needle hub to prevent rotation of said hub during rotation of said holder. 
     
     
       3. A system for disposing of a double ended needle having a hub disposed between an anterior needle and a posterior needle, said system comprising: a blood collection holder having an anterior collar and a translatable insert with a boss for threadedly engaging said needle hub; and   a biohazard receptacle having: a) an aperture for receiving said collar of said holder and for accepting the anterior end of said needle into the interior of said biohazard receptacle;   b) locking means for preventing withdrawal of said needle from said biohazard receptacle after said needle has been inserted into said aperture and for urging said needle into the interior of said biohazard receptacle following disengagement from said holder, said locking means comprising a leaf spring and;   c) means disposed within said aperture for engaging said needle hub in said aperture and for preventing rotation of said needle as said holder is unthreaded from said needle.     
     
     
       4. The system of claim 3 wherein said leaf spring produces an audible sound when said needle hub is engaged by said leaf spring.